Cellulose-Based Hydrogels for Wound Healing

Abstract

Wound healing is a dynamic process involving several intra/extracellular mechanisms, which are triggered by cutaneous injuries. Wound repair consists of three separate but overlapping phases, i.e., inflammation, formation of new tissue, and remodeling. Although wound healing is an innate ability of every multicellular organism, specific precautions are required in some particular cases. One important aspect of wound management is maintaining a good level of moisture. It has been acknowledged by the medical community that an optimal level of hydration leads to increased healing rates, reduces pain, and improves cosmesis. In this context, it is essential to know the nature of the wound in order to choose the most suitable wound dressing. For instance, in the presence of a dry wound, where additional hydration is necessary, the use of highly hydrated hydrogels can allow the autolytic debridement of necrotic tissue when its surgical removal is not feasible. The ability to trap water up to thousand times their dry weight turns these materials into valid alternatives for wound healing applications. The use of cellulose-based hydrogels has become popular owing to their great degree of biocompatibility, low-cost, and biodegradability. Recently, different strategies have been investigated for the development of more efficient wound dressings, for instance, the introduction of antibacterial features using a combination of antibiotics and/or antibacterial polymers. Along with plant-derived cellulose, the use of bacterial cellulose membranes as wound dressings and skin substitutes is attracting considerable interest due to their innate hydrogel structure as well as their high chemical purity and mechanical properties. This chapter will present an overview of the most recent studies on cellulose-based hydrogels for wound healing applications, as well as the most recent outcomes of research in this field.

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